Chicago’s Pride parade is particularly special.
First, it’s one of the original three pride parades in the United States that took place the year after Stonewall — as noted by Mads Johnson, a customer support advocate at OppFi, who recently caught up with Built In.
Second, the Chicago Pride parade takes place in a city where the parade is just one part of the rich LGBTQIA history in the area. Chicago is home to the first gay rights organization in the country. Illinois was the first state to decriminalize consensual same-sex activity in 1962. And Chicago’s LGBTQIA neighborhoods date back to the 1920s.
“Everyone deserves to take pride in their identity without being shamed into hiding and with the freedom to be themselves, whatever that looks like,” Johnson told Built In. “Pride means being uplifted by a community that embraces me. It means finding the courage to stay true to myself, even in spaces where I’m not embraced.”
For Johnson, part of what makes their job at OppFi feel so supportive is not just the celebrations around Pride month — it’s the small things, every day of the year.
“OppFi also encourages authenticity in everyday ways, like including space for pronouns in our email templates and embracing opportunities for meaningful conversations,” they added. “That support helps build a culture where belonging is part of who we are, not simply a check box.”
Read the interview with Johnson to get a glimpse of OppFi’s support for LGBTQIA teammates.
OppFi is a financial technology platform that provides accessible credit products to everyday consumers.
What does Pride mean to you? Feel free to share a specific word, story or example that comes to mind. How does Pride make you think of history, the current moment or the future?
To me, Pride is a time of unity within the queer community when we show up for one another, create safe spaces and celebrate being ourselves. With its roots in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, Pride is both a celebration and a remembrance of the LGBTQIA+ individuals who stood up in resistance at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. One year later, the first Pride marches were held in Chicago, New York and San Francisco to honor that moment and demand change, helping usher in the modern queer rights movement. Since then, Pride has grown into a global movement, inviting more people each year to stand in solidarity and live openly.
Everyone deserves to take pride in their identity without being shamed into hiding and with the freedom to be themselves, whatever that looks like. Pride means being uplifted by a community that embraces me. It means finding the courage to stay true to myself, even in spaces where I’m not embraced.
What does Pride look like at your company? What is Pride Month typically like? Are there any specific ways Pride manifests year-round?
At OppFi, Pride Month is a celebration and a time to learn, reflect and build meaningful connections. Our business resource group, Oppt for Pride, curates thoughtful programming each year that welcomes all team members to participate, no matter how they identify. Over the years, Oppt for Pride has hosted trivia events, guest speakers and panel discussions on LGBTQIA+ history, identity and allyship.
“At OppFi, Pride Month is a celebration and a time to learn, reflect and build meaningful connections.”
This year, we introduced the United in Pride Expression Wall to our company intranet, where team members shared photos, poems, stories, artwork and other personal reflections on Pride and allyship. We hosted virtual Lunch & Listen sessions each Friday to create space to explore music that has shaped and empowered LGBTQIA+ identities and movements. Although held in a fun and casual environment, these events open the door to meaningful conversations, foster understanding and remind us why showing up authentically matters in our day-to-day lives. Through OppFi’s Oppt to Give charitable giving program, employees can support LGBTQIA+ organizations like the Trevor Project all year long.
Why is it important for your team to include LGBTQIA+ inclusivity as part of its cultural makeup? What does your company get right?
LGBTQIA+ inclusivity matters because our community is everywhere, including at OppFi. Whether someone is your coworker, friend or family member, they deserve to be their authentic self without fear. When people feel seen and supported, they’re more engaged, creative and connected to their work.
OppFi gets this right by supporting our business resource groups, like Oppt for Pride, and making space for identity-based employee-led communities to lead, educate and build cross-functional connections. Senior leadership actively supports this work and helps ensure that programming reaches team members across the organization. Through cultural heritage month events and inclusive initiatives, business resource groups highlight the intersecting identities of our team members. OppFi also encourages authenticity in everyday ways, like including space for pronouns in our email templates and embracing opportunities for meaningful conversations. That support helps build a culture where belonging is part of who we are, not simply a check box.
